Why Traveling as a Female Rocks (and Why it Sucks)

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Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. It is, quite literally, a day to celebrate being a women. I've already received a few Facebook messages congratulating me. As if I had something to do with determining my sex.

Even though I have some mixed feelings on a day celebrating women (I mean, shouldn't we be singing ourselves praises and celebrating our awesomeness EVERY day?), I cannot deny the fact that being a female impacts my life — especially as a traveler.

If the recent #WeGoSolo movement is any indication, female travel is definitely popular and definitely a hot topic right now. Women are traveling solo, with significant others, and in groups all across the world.

So, in honor of the “holiday” today, I thought I would look at some of the reasons why traveling as a female rocks — and also why it kind of sucks sometimes (and yes, some of these ARE tongue-in-cheek, so please don't take me TOO seriously…)

Gender Stereotypes

Yes, they exist, and will likely continue to exist no matter how large of strides women make. Women are supposed to take on certain roles, have certain types of personalities, and be capable (or incapable) of certain things. I'm not saying I agree with these stereotypes, of course, but there's no denying that they are there.

Pro: The positive to these stereotypes? Well, as a solo female traveler, you are much more likely to find a nice person (male OR female) willing to help stow a bag on the train, give you directions, or simply sit and chat for a while. Traveling as a women (and especially solo) often means that people are looking out for you, no matter where you are in the world, and that is encouraging.

Con: The downside, of course, is the reason behind people looking out for you — the fact that women are very often viewed as being weak and incapable and in NEED of looking after. These gender stereotypes can also lead to some uncomfortable situations on the road, such as in cultures where women traveling solo is frowned upon, or in cultures where women are supposed to be wives and not much more. In some extreme cases, women can also be the target of unwanted attention, advances, and even violence simply because of our gender. The fact that women have to be more vigilant than men while traveling kind of sucks.

Body Image/Beauty

This applies to men somewhat, too, but especially to women. Mostly in Western cultures, there is a very clear image of what women should “ideally” look like.

Pro: In countries other than America, body image isn't such an issue. Yes, women are still concerned with diets and their figures, but they are much more comfortable with showing off what they've got (I mean, have you BEEN to a spa in Europe, ladies??). While traveling, therefore, I've found it much easier to embrace the body I have instead of obsessing over the one that I'd like to have. As far as body image goes, travel has given me more confidence — I don't feel pressured to fix my hair or wear tons of makeup or dress up when I'm on the road, which has led to me becoming much more comfortable in my own skin.

Con: Once you start caring less about your appearance and loving your body, you may decide you want to show it off more. This is definitely frowned upon in certain cultures, however, and it can be tricky sometimes to balance your confidence with what is culturally acceptable. Plus, heading back home to where things like wearing makeup, pants, and real shoes are expected could end up being a bit of a culture shock!

Re-Invention of Self

In America especially, there is a clearly defined path that we are supposed to follow (and supposed to WANT to follow) as women. We're supposed to go to school, get married, and then pop out babies.

Pro: When you travel and have your eyes opened to the world, you may realize that the clearly defined path from back home is bullshit. You CAN break away from the pack, and traveling can help you re-invent yourself. Especially if you're moving around frequently and meeting new people all the time, traveling offers up the perfect opportunity to let your guard down and let your true personality shine through. There's nothing stopping you from being the type of woman that YOU want to be on the road, instead of the one that society says you should be.

Con: Is there really a downside to discovering yourself? Well, perhaps. If you change a lot on your travels, there's always the danger that people won't recognize you when you come home. You may have to use your new personality to make new friends when your travels are over, because you very well might have outgrown your old ones.

Sex

Yup, I'm going to talk about it, because it's a part of life and it's often also a part of traveling. (I mean, come on ladies, we all have a fantasy that includes a tryst with a dark and mysterious foreign man, right?)

Pro: I feel like when you're traveling, the people you meet judge you less. You all share a similar outlook on life and sense of adventure — and that adventure often spills over into the bedroom. Go ahead, be a little adventurous when you're traveling (while still being safe, of course!). Kiss that stranger in a bar. Dance with that cute guy whose name you can't pronounce. Perhaps even have that fling with that dark and mysterious foreign man.

Con: We women unfortunately get a raw deal when it comes to sex and traveling. It IS slightly more dangerous for women to sleep around on the road. Along with the possibility of contracting STDs and other nasty things, there's always the big P word. You do NOT want to come home with a baby bump as a souvenir… We women also have to worry about things like birth control and menstrual cycles and other annoying details that can often detract from the overall experience. Which SUCKS.

And of course there's also the possibility of actually falling for that boy at the bar or that mysterious foreign man, which can make goodbyes incredibly painful (because, let's face it, we females ARE usually the ones more at risk for this happening…).

Confidence-building

At the end of the day, I think most of the above things listed lead to one thing: confidence. Which is always sexy on a women if you ask me.

Pro: Travel (and especially solo travel) is great for building confidence in yourself and your ability to survive on your own. You'll become more confident, more self-sufficient, and basically just more badass. You'll challenge yourself, overcome fears, and become a better you. It's one of the BEST things about traveling, in my opinion.

Con: Not gonna lie, though… thanks to those gender stereotypes I mentioned before, it IS sometimes more difficult to find a significant other when you're a confident, empowered women who has seen the world. Which is lame. A lot of men definitely get intimidated by women they see as being more successful than they are, and I speak from experience when I say that being worldly and confident CAN make it tougher to find a mate. (Though, in reality, would awesome women like us really WANT to be with guys who are intimidated by the fact that we've traveled the world and rocked it? Probably not.)

Yes, there are pros AND cons to traveling as a female. But it wouldn't be as exciting or challenging otherwise. And, in my opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons.

So happy International Women's Day, ladies. Keep traveling the world and being awesome.

Can you think of any other reasons why traveling as a female rocks (or sucks)?

And, here are some great products for every female traveler:

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I'm a former-journalist-turned blogger from a small town in Ohio. I've been blogging about travel since 2010, and seek to inspire people to be curious and adventurous and find ways to fit more travel into the lifestyle they already have.

I had no idea today was International Women’s Day. In some ways I’d like to travel without the gender stereotypes as a woman, but then again there gender stereotypes about men too. I think the most important thing is for women to get out and travel, whether they’re on their own or in a group, and to encourage other women to travel as well.

I’ve met many more solo female travelers in South Africa than males, pairs or couples. I wouldn’t want to be anyone but me. Even met an interesting man at a Backpackers yet nothing more than good conversation happened and that’s just fine.

I don’t feel patronized and it helps us remember our sisters all over the world where being born female is viewed as a curse. My personal Facebook photo isn’t of me. I changed it to one of Malala, the day she was shot in the head on her school bus at age 15 for advocating for the right of girls to an education in Pakistan.

I really like what you said about how with travel you can break away from the pack and reinvent yourself (or at least what society thinks you should be). I have been traveling solo for work all over the U.S for 3 years and it has definitely made me more confident. The Pros definitely out weight the cons. Go Women! lol

Good article. Without being critical, though, I’ll point out that the whole “reinvent yourself and come home a different person” is not a gender specific problem. Happens to me all the time. I’ve ended up with fewer friends, but they’re all adaptable 🙂

And as for the whole “falling for someone” .. It’s certainly happened to me. 🙂

Oh yeah, the re-invention is definitely not gender specific! In fact, pretty much all of these can apply to men as well as women. But, since I’m a female, I can really only write about all of it from my gender’s perspective!

And I forgot to mention that there are a *lot* of solo female travelers in NZ right now. Lots of guys, too, of course. And lots, oddly, of (un?)lucky German guys who seem to be traveling with 2 or 3 women.

This is an interesting reading for me. I am a traveler myself but as part of a couple that’s why I can only imagine how it’s to travel solo for a lady.
A lot of the points you mentioned like the re-Invention of yourself happens to me too, I guess that happens to everybody no matter if traveling solo or not. 🙂

I didn’t know it was “International Women’s Day”. I doubt it’s celebrated at all here in Japan where I live.

I found this blog entry really interesting. I’m not a global traveller, but a traveller within Japan.

I’m surprised to hear that people in America don’t care too much about their looks? I was the impression that there are two extreme groups: those who eat too much and are really fat and those who care far too much about their looks?

It’s interesting to see that the idea of “beauty” is different in other cultures!
Here in Japan, being pale, almost white is considered to be very beautiful. Women use creams with whitener and in summer try to avoid the sun as much as possible. Having a tan isn’t considered to be beautiful.

Fantastic Amanda, I am so happy you addressed all of these feelings and issues women face when traveling. Not that many people talk about it openly, especially the sexy times part lol.

I totally agree, I feel like a lot of guys are afraid of empowered confident women, it’s baffling. Sometimes I feel like I would have a lot more luck in the romance department if I stayed at home and had a more “normal” life, which SUCKS.

TOTALLY agree with you, Liz. I meet guys here in Ohio who are perfectly nice, but they’re clearly intimidated by me and what I’m doing with my life. It REALLY sucks. But I’m not willing to sacrifice doing what I love just so I can have a guy in my life. Who needs ’em!

Great points! I applaud all of you solo travelers! I definitely think women have it a little harder then men when traveling, and I’m often reminded of this when JIm and I are on the road. However, it is no reason to not do it. Travel on!

I couldn’t agree more with you, Amanda. Traveling makes us more interesting, worldly, builds confidence and character. It goes for both, though – women and men as well. I can’t picture myself with someone who hasn’t got that curiosity and hunger for the World!

I actually didn’t give much thought to International Women’s Day. I saw all the tweets appear on twitter, but as I had a really busy day on Friday, I have to admit I didn’t stop and think about it’s meaning. Then I saw an image on Facebook. Posted by someone with good intention, I’m sure, who just wanted to wish all the women a happy Women’s Day. The image was an adaptation of the evolution image you often see, of apes growing to humans. In this image, however, you saw a baby rowing up to be a girl, a teenager, a young woman, a young pregnant woman, a woman with a baby, and an old woman.
As if womanhood is automatically linked to motherhood.
As if all we can do, are made to do, is grow up to give birth.
Again, I know this image wasn’t intended this way. But it came over this way. I felt insulted and frustrated because I myself don’t want children. I don’t have anything against motherhood. I just don’t want it for myself. his is an entirely different discussion, but I just wanted to mention it here because I already have to explain myself to everyone when the subject comes on and now I feel like I also have to defend myself on, of all days, International Women’s Day.

I totally understand where you’re coming from, Sophie. Your frustration isn’t unfounded! For all the “strides” we’re supposed to have made as women in this society, I see/hear things all too often that would suggest that we still have a long way to go.

I can’t believe how many people (men and women) were talking about International Women’s Day this year. I don’t know if I missed it last year but or maybe it’s the travel community talking more about women travelling solo and having the confidence to get out there and see the world.

I definitely think that travelling as a woman is that little bit harder but I agree that people are more willing to help a woman out. A friend of mine fainted in Bangkok a couple of weeks ago and it turned out she was really sick with Dengue fever. A Thai lady who was a complete stranger helped my friend up, took her back to her house and cared for her for 3 days before she was well enough to leave. I don’t think the lady would have taken her in if she were a man.

I never traveled solo for more than a few days at a time, but I felt local people were indeed more willing to help me than when I traveled with a group. I intend to do more solo travels in the future, because I noticed I tend to get in touch with people more than when traveling as a couple.

I agree with you that it’s a little weird to have *one* day a year to celebrate women. We are pretty awesome year round, right? 😉
I love your post though and as I’m sure most other solo travelers will, I can totally relate to most of it. It also had me laughing out loud a few times, especially the references to dark and mysterious foreign men – interesting how the men at ‘home’ never seem match that description 😉

[…] And this made me so frustrated and sad. Why oh why does womanhood have to be linked to motherhood? Someone who wanted to celebrate Women’s Day actually thought this was a good way to do it. By diminishing the role of women to growing up, giving birth and growing old. I know this image wasn’t meant this way. I know the one who posted it had good intentions. But, I’m sorry, they failed. Sorry, I needed to get this off of my chest. I’ll stop ranting now and, as this is Sunday Supers, share with you a post by Amanda from A Dangerous Business that nicely sums up some pro’s and cons about traveling as a woman. […]

I definitely opt for a somewhat hippy appearance when I’m travelling and always find it such a struggle and a chore to paint my face again and coordinate my outfits properly on my return home (the damn cold weather makes the skin on my face patchy red!).

I also find it difficult to relate to people, and their lack of ambition, when I return. I guess meeting interesting people all the time sort of spoils you, and I just don’t feel stimulated by conversations about the ‘same old’ all the time.

And as for the opposite sex… WELL! I have recently parted ways with someone who would verbally abuse me when drunk about the fact “I run away overseas” and am “obviously lost” SAY WHAT?! Coming from someone who has only ventured out of Scotland once in 10 years. Hmmmm. He later revealed he had a complex about his lack of achievements in comparison to mine…

So then we’re left with fellow travellers and worldwide wanderers, who we fall for too quickly in romantic, foreign surroundings and then have to ‘love and leave’ just as quick.

Travelling is awesome, and so is being a female but I’m glad you pointed out both the positives and negatives when the two are combined.

Glad you can relate, Kay! At the end of the day, I obviously think the positives far outweigh the negatives. But there definitely ARE some things that suck about being a worldly, traveling woman sometimes!

Hi, I’m really glad to have stumbled upon your blog. Greetings from Malaysia 🙂 I definitely agree with what you said.

Last year I travelled alone for the first time (to Vienna), and realised that it was so much easier to meet new people than when in a group. The only tiny problem was that it was a bit inconvenient to have to ask people to take photos of me… Can’t wait for my next solo trip to Europe!

Travelling as a female, I think, brings more advantages 🙂 For one,using our charisma when in places of strict traffic rules, as smile at the police officer usually works, hehehe 🙂 Another could be, as a female, I have experienced being prioritized in queues at train or bus stations 🙂 So far, I have never had any “sucking” experience as a woman traveler 😉 Lucky me, I guess.

[…] Travelling solo means that I usually have plenty of time to reflect – and plenty of time to perfect my listening skills. But listening doesn’t always apply to other people. I have learned to “listen” to the places I visit, too – because there often is more to a destination than initially meets the eye. This has led to me falling in love with some pretty unexpected places. […]

Love this post! Lots of awesome points! As someone who recently returned from the Middle East on business (UAE, Qatar, Oman), I really thought a lot about women, our place in society and the cultural differences as it pertains to women around the world. It makes me angry that I even have to think of safety etc, but at the same time, traveling makes me feel empowered, and educated. Instead of listening to what the media tells me about a place, I have experienced it myself, and gotten to know it my own way. I like what you said about body image too. I live in Paris part of the time and in the US the rest. I don’t care much how I look in Paris, I mean, I try to look stylish, but I find when I’m in the US I’m more obsessed with my body and how I look. It’s refreshing to live in another culture where body image doesn’t seem to be as big a deal. I did gain 20 pounds (how did that happen?!) since being in France, so I guess I wasn’t paying enough attention to my body image! But at the same time it was refreshing.

I eat too much bread. I live across from an amazing bakery, so I was tempted one too many times. Even when I overcame my addiction, I was still heavy and couldnt lose it, despite the fact I never take the escalator and climb all the metro stairs AND run nearly every day for an hour. Ugh! So frustrating!

Karina, maybe all that French wine and cheese? =)
There’s definitely something sexy about a woman with confidence. Met my now-wife while traveling, actually – it was funny that an American and a Canadian had to end up in South Korea to find each other…

Awesome article! I know I’m over a year late to the party on this one… but it’s always great to see people talking about this topic. I think it’s important to acknowledge that there are differences in the experience of male and female travellers just because of gender stereotypes that exist in every society, and that means sometimes we might have to be more careful, or more understanding, or even get to experience something more that others wouldn’t!
Have you ever had a particular experience that stands out where you thought wow, this is definitely a solo-female-traveller experience that others just wouldn’t get? I’ve found that travelling by myself, people – especially guys who are maybe actually hitting on me (let’s face it) – are often more likely to take me to interesting places and show me interesting things that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. One particular amazing moment was going up onto a temple in Bagan, Myanmar in the middle of the night, because the local guy I was hanging out with had the key. Pretty sure he wouldn’t have taken me if I was a guy, or with a group – it was pretty special.

A few times I’ve definitely had the sense that people are more willing to help me out or “look after” me when I’m traveling solo. Little things sometimes – like someone helping me get my backpack up into a luggage rack, or a man in Athens walking with me off the metro to point me in the direction of my hotel. There are definitely positives right along with the negatives.

Yeah you’re right, those are really nice things. And they’re the sort of things that can really make your day – for example, I bet without that guy in Athens, you’d have been lost for at least a little while. A lovely girl in St Petersburg helped me in the same way, though I was with my sister rather than alone at the time. Actually, she took it a step further, and walked the whole way there with us – completely went out of her way! It was really lovely. 🙂 It’s funny how seeing foreigners travelling around can sometimes bring out the “mothering” or “fathering” instincts in a person – they really do try to look after you.

I came across your website a few hours ago and I just can stop reading. It has many of the things I have always dreamt about…. Traveling and photograph. Fantastic. I absolutely love photography and it’s been a pleasure to read your adventures.

Came across this (and your other travel blogs!) while searching for new ideas for my next big solo adventure! Love love love everything about everything you’ve put out there regarding traveling solo as a female. All so true and so close to home for me as I prepare for my next big trip! I think you’ve officially swayed me to head to Iceland & possibly Scotland too! Cheers 🙂

The big negative for me is that you always have to be thinking about safety, at least in the back of your mind in a way that guys never have to. Am I too drunk to make it back to the hotel safely? Is my door locked? Etc.

I just found this as I was going for my solo adventure! As I sit alone in Santorini about to head to Barcelona, I have definitely been thinking about traveling alone recently! I think that one of the other issues that you could bring up is the unwanted attention (it can be a pro and a con). While I am traveling alone, I do have a fiancé who just isn’t with me right now. I get kind of annoyed sometimes that I have to specify either I am engaged or I just want to be friends when I am talking to new people (specifically guys). I am sure this applies in general life but especially when traveling alone. It is nice sometimes because you get extra attention, but frustrating that you can’t just be nice and friendly as a solo female without “wanting more”. This is kind of the flip side of your sex section! I really appreciated your article and wanted to throw in my two sense!

Oh this is so true! I even have experienced this while just living in Iowa. I love your honesty on this subject and it made me laugh a few times too! I can appreciate the mentality of how traveling solo and help you find yourself. Keep going Amanda!

Get to Know Me

I’m just a small-town Ohio girl trying to balance a “normal” life with a desire to discover the world beyond my Midwest bubble. I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. Learn more about me here.